Drive Time
4h 38m
Distance
265.1 mi
427 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$36
one way
Photo: John Hanson
The drive from Johnson, IN to Portage, IN covers 265.1 miles and takes about 4h 38m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on State Road 165, West Brumitt Street, North 1st Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $36.01 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
132.6 miles from Johnson, IN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 19m into the drive .
Expect a 4h 38m drive with frequent turns across 265.1 miles of local and secondary roads.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| State Road 165 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| West Brumitt Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| North 1st Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| State Road 65 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| West Broadway Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| US 41 North | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Chicago | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| State Road 14 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Johnson, IN and Portage, IN.
Start on West Creek 970
At the end of the road, turn right onto State Road 165
Continue on West Brumitt Street
Turn left onto North 1st Street
Continue on State Road 65
Turn right onto West Broadway Street
Take the ramp slight right
Merge slight left
Take the exit slight right toward US 41 North, US 150: Terre Haute
Turn straight onto Chicago
Continue straight
Turn right onto State Road 14
Take the ramp left
Merge slight left
Take the exit slight right toward I 80 East, I 94 East, US 6 East: Toledo, Detroit
Keep slight right to continue on Central Avenue
Turn right onto Central Avenue
Continue on Central Avenue
Arrive at your destination
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 80 miles or 1h 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 132.6 miles or 2h 19m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 48m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Portage, IN than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Johnson, IN so your first major turns are already loaded.
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Johnson, IN
This is one driving day of about 265.1 miles and 4h 38m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 132.6 mi from Johnson, IN · 2h 19m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
133 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 132.6 miles from Johnson, IN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Portage, IN usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Portage, IN.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$36.01 one way
$72.02 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.85 | $40.18 | $80.36 |
| premium | $4.15 | $43.31 | $86.63 |
| diesel | $3.75 | $39.14 | $78.28 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 92.8 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 79.5 | 0 | $27.84 | $12.72 |
| Efficient EV | 66.3 | 0 | $23.20 | $10.60 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 106 | 1 | $37.11 | $16.97 |
Gas CO2
93 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Morning in Johnson on Saturday
Local time
10:20 AM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Morning in Portage on Saturday
Local time
10:20 AM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
54°F
Champaign, IL
133 mi in
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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